Talking Humanities

Episod

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  Law and the Humanities - Dr Maryam Mirza and Professor Tom Hamilton 11.09.2026 41min

  Dr Maryam Mirza and Professor Tom Hamilton explore what happens when we approach law not only as rules, courts and institutions, but through literature, history and human experience — asking whose voices are heard, whose are missing, and how people live with the consequences of legal power.
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  From Ancient Texts to Ethical Tech - Dr Thea Sommerschield and Professor Sue Black 13.03.2026 31min

  For this episode we join Dr Thea Sommerschield from the Department of Classics and Ancient History and Professor Sue Black from the Department of Computer Science at Durham University. This free-flowing conversation brings together Thea’s work on AI and ancient inscriptions, with Sue’s work supporting women in tech and challenging bias in AI. We hear about the very different paths that led them into their research, before the conversation opens out into a fascinating discussion about ancient inscriptions, women in tech, the value of interdisciplinary research, and the importance of using technology in ways that are thoughtful, ethical, and transformative.
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  Rivers of Ink Part 2 - Ross Ashton and Karen Monid 20.02.2026 26min

  In this second part of Rivers of Ink, we’re at St Paul’s Church in Jarrow with artists Ross Ashton and Karen Monid of The Projection Studio, whose touring installation reimagines the Codex Amiatinus through projection and sound. They explore the research behind the work, the challenge of visualising a world with little surviving evidence, and the wider history of writing and book-making that shaped the manuscript. We also discuss authorship and authenticity through the fascinating story of Codex’s altered dedication page, the labour of the monastic community who produced it, and how art and academia can open this complex historical and religious object to wider audiences.
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  Rivers of Ink Part 1 - Professor Francis Watson & Lauren Randall 09.02.2026 15min

  In this episode we bring together Professor Francis Watson from the department of Theology and Religion and Lauren Randall, a Phd researcher at Durham University. They are both working on the manuscript Codex Amiatinus, the world’s oldest bible and about to tour their latest project, Rivers of Ink which looks at the making of the Codex Amiatinus and how it came to be produced in the North East of England. We talk about what makes Codex Amiatinus such an extraordinary manuscript, how it was made at Wearmouth and Jarrow, and how Rivers of Ink brings that story to life for audiences today through sound, light, and talks touring the region.
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  Thinking Space: How the Humanities Shape Our View of the Cosmos 30.01.2026 38min

  In this episode, we bring together social scientist Dr Nikita Chu, philosopher Dr Chris Cowie and literary historian Dr Vladimir Brljak to explore how the humanities help us think about space. From historical cosmologies and philosophical questions about alien life to contemporary debates around space exploration, governance, and inclusion, the conversation reveals how ideas about space are shaped as much by culture, history, and values as by science.
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  The Absence/Presence of Durham’s Black History 24.10.2025 33min

  In this episode, we bring together anthropologist Professor Nayanika Mookherjee, sociologist Dr Sol Gamsu, and historian Dr Liam Liburd to discuss The Absence/Presence of Durham’s Black History.  Through archival research, student collaboration, and a new Black History Walking Tour, the team reveal how Durham’s cathedral, university, and community are intertwined with global histories of colonialism, enslavement, resistance and race. This thoughtful conversation shows that rather than simply making invisible people visible, the project seeks to surface the recorded but untold stories of Black and minoritised individuals and to reframe the narratives surrounding celebrated institutions and figures in the region. In the process, it reminds us about the legacies of colonial power, and the continuing importance of re-examining the past. Above all, the walking trail highlights the interconnections between various working class communities.
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  Science and the Humanities: Modelling the Black Death 30.09.2025 37min

  In this episode, we bring together a remarkable team of historians, physicists and archaeologists who are working on a groundbreaking project at Durham University. By combining archival research, archaeological evidence, and advanced computer simulation techniques they have created the JUNE model to simulate how the Black Death swept through medieval England. This free-flowing conversation explores the challenges of interpreting historical records, the contrasting research cultures of science and the humanities, and the transformative outcomes of their interdisciplinary work.
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  Coal Stories: Exploring Durham’s Hidden Mining Past with Dr Adrian Green and Sandra Bell 04.08.2025 25min

  In this episode we are joined by Dr Adrian Green and Sandra Bell Adrian is Associate Professor Early Modern British and American History and Sandra is Emeritus Professor in the Department of Anthropology. Together they have written Coal Stories: An illustrated trail guide through Durham City’s industrial and coal mining past. We take a walk along part of the trail from Durham Market Place, along Sadler Street, up North Bailey and across Prebends Bridge to a coal seam by the River Wear. Along the route, they reveal how coal wealth shaped the city’s streets, from hidden collieries and the iconic viaduct to the social history of miners’ homes, courts, and community activism. It’s a journey that uncovers the overlooked story of how a cathedral city became a coal city. A map showing our route can be found in the episode notes.
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  VR, AI & Empathy: Rethinking English with Dr. Alistair Brown 23.05.2025 24min

  In this episode of Talking Humanities, Dr. Alistair Brown, Assistant Professor of Digital Humanities and Modern Literature at Durham University, discusses the importance of studying English in today’s world. Walking along the River Wear, he explains how English fosters empathy and story craft—skills crucial not only to personal development but also to modern industries like tech, where understanding human narratives is vital. Dr. Brown introduces the English Creates campaign, aimed at reversing declining enrolments by highlighting the value and versatility of English degrees. He also explores how Artificial Intelligence challenges traditional English pedagogy and stresses the importance of critical thinking to navigate AI’s limitations. The conversation extends into virtual reality and gamification in literature education through his “VR Literature Library” project, making classic texts immersive and emotionally engaging for younger learners. Throughout, Dr. Brown advocates for a “transformative humanities” approach—honouring traditional skills while adapting them for digital futures, including video game storytelling and the creative industries.
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  Durham University and the BFI - Dr Ladan Cockshut, Professor Simon James and Stuart Burnside 23.05.2025 30min

  Welcome to our final podcast from the BFI Reuben Library. In this episode we join Dr Ladan Cockshut and Professor Simon James from Durham University in conversation with Stuart Burnside, Video Games Manager in the certification unit at the British film Institute. Their discussion centres on the legitimisation of gaming research and its connection to science fiction. It also addresses the loss of gaming heritage due to redundant technology and the study of gaming through interdisciplinary scholarship.
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  Durham University and the BFI - Dr Ladan Cockshut with Stuart Burnside 23.01.2025 42min

  Welcome to the third of our podcasts from the BFI Reuben Library. In this episode, we join Stuart Burnside, Video Games Manager in the certification unit at the British Film Institute and Dr Ladan Cockshut assistant professor for research culture in the Department for Modern Languages and Culture at Durham University. Stuart and Ladan discuss the establishment of game studies, film to video game adaptations, participatory games development, issues around archiving our games heritage, and how gaming can transform the way we think about culture and the humanities.
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  Durham University and the BFI - Professor Simon James with Senior Librarian Katie Reddington 05.12.2024 20min

  This is the second in a series of conversations with specialists from the BFI and is a discussion between the BFI Reuben Library’s Senior Librarian Katie Reddington and Professor Simon James. Simon James is Professor of Victorian Literature in the Department of English Studies. He has edited five H. G. Wells novels and six numbers of The Wellsian, the learned journal of the H. G. Wells Society, and written one book and several articles on Wells. Katie and Simon discuss Wells' love of libraries and books, his novel the Time Machine, transformative humanities, and Wells’ forays into the world of film. Katie also shares some of the BFI Reuben libraries wealth of resources that relates to Wells and his film work.
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  Durham University and the BFI - Introducing the BFI Reuben Library with Senior Librarian Katie Reddington 31.10.2024 14min

  Since 2021, Durham has been working in partnership with the British Film Institute to make BFI Player available to all Durham University members. The partnership has delivered research events, skills workshops for academic staff and students, careers training, the Durham Film Festival, and community outreach activities.  This is the first in a series of conversations with specialists from the BFI and we begin with an introduction to The BFI Reuben Library which is situated at BFI Southbank in London. Our guest is Katie Reddington who is the senior Librarian.
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  Accessing Classics - Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson 30.08.2024 17min

  In this episode, we are joined by Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson. Arlene is Professor of Classics Education and Public Policy at Durham University. After studying Classics at Oxford, Harvard and Cambridge, Arlene qualified as a schoolteacher and taught in high schools for over a decade before returning to academia. We talk about how classics education is beginning to thrive again and the fascinating projects Arlene has been involved with to make this happen. We discuss the many advantages of studying classics, her work with policymakers and making a stand against attacks on the value of the arts and humanities.
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  Our Natural Heritage: An Interdisciplinary Conversation - Professor Bob Baxter and Dr Simona Capisani 19.07.2024 30min

  In this episode we visit upper Teesdale in County Durham with Professor Bob Baxter and Dr Simona Capisani. Bob is from the Bio Sciences Department at Durham University and has a long interest in climate change and its impact on plants. Simona is an assistant Professor of Environmental Philosophy and has interests in climate justice and issues around environmental philosophy and conservation ethics. We talk about this unique area of outstanding natural beauty and the work of Botanist Margaret Bradshaw, who has dedicated her life to studying it. In 2023, at the age of 97, Margaret published her first book: Teesdale's Special Flora: Places, Plants and People.” Bob and Simona reflect on the impact of Margaret’s work and discuss interdisciplinary approaches to tackling climate change.
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  The Manner of Leaving - Dr Georgina Robinson 19.06.2024 17min

  Content warning: topics discussed in this episode include death, deaths during Covid and infant death. Listeners who may be sensitive to these topics, please take note. In this episode we visit South Road Cemetery in Durham with Dr Georgina Robinson. Georgina is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Theology and Religion and Centre for Death-Life Studies at Durham University, with research interests primarily grounded in the interdisciplinary field of death studies. Whilst 80% of British people choose cremation, Georgina has been researching alkaline hydrolysis, also known as water cremation. On our walk through the cemetery which offers traditional burial, cremation and woodland burial we talked about death taboo, death style, water cremation her fascinating work with funeral directors during COVID and the inevitable— emergence of digital death and our online legacy.
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  Medieval Science - Professor Giles Gasper and Professor Brian Tanner 30.05.2024 25min

  In this episode we are in Durham with Professor Giles Gasper and Professor Brian Tanner. Giles is Professor in High Medieval History specialising in the intellectual history of the high middle ages and particularly in the development of theology. Brian is an Emiritus professor in the department of physics. They are both member of the interdisciplinary Ordered Universe project which studies the scientific works of the 13th century polymath, Robert Grosseteste. They talk about how they met through the Ordered Universe and how their work in humanities and the sciences became intertwined. They discuss the unexpected discoveries and co-authored publications which came from the project, engaging with artists and young people as well as offering advice on setting up large-scale research projects.